Apparatus identification systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A member having a body, the body having at least a portion thereof comprising a generally cylindrical portion, the generally cylindrical portion having a circumference, wave energizable identification apparatus with an antenna within and encircling the generally cylindrical portion of the body, and methods to use such a member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to systems and methods for identifying items;and, in certain aspects to identifying items in the oil and gasindustry; and in one particular aspect to identifying tubulars,including, but not limited to, pieces of drill pipe, using radiofrequency identification devices and/or sensible indicia.

2. Description of Related Art

The prior art discloses a variety of systems and methods for usingsurface acoustic wave tags or radio frequency identification tags inidentifying items, including items used in the oil and gas industry suchas drill pipe. (See e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,698,631; 5,142,128; 5,202,680;5,360,967; 6,333,699; 6,333,700; 6,347,292; 6,480,811; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. Nos. 10/323,536 filed Dec. 18, 2002; Ser. No.09/843,998 filed Apr. 27, 2001; Ser. No. 10/047,436 filed Jan. 14, 2002;Ser. No. 10/261,551 filed Sep. 30, 2002; Ser. No. 10/032,114 filed Dec.21, 2001; and Ser. No. 10/013,255 filed Nov. 5, 2001; all incorporatedfully herein for all purposes.) In many of these systems a radiofrequency identification tag or “IRFIDT” is used on pipe at such alocation either interiorly or exteriorly of a pipe, that the RFIDT isexposed to extreme temperatures and conditions downhole in a wellbore.Often an RFIDT so positioned fails and is of no further use. Also, inmany instances, an RFIDT so positioned is subjected to damage aboveground due to the rigors of handling and manipulation.

The present inventors have realized that substantial usefulness for atubular identification system can be achieved by divorcing the desirefor effective above-ground identification and operation from the goal ofdownhole accessibility.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention, in certain aspects, provides a tubular, e.g. apiece of drill pipe, with a radio frequency identification tag in arecess in an end thereof so that the RFIDT is protected from shocks(pressure, impacts, thermal) that may be encountered in a wellbore orduring drilling operations. In one particular aspect, the presentinvention discloses systems and methods in which a piece of drill pipewith threaded pin and box ends has one or more circumferential recessesformed in the pin end into which is emplaced one or more radio frequencyidentification tags each with an integrated circuit and with an antennaencircling the pin end within A recess. The RFIDT (OR RFIDT'S) isprotected by a layer of filler, glue or adhesive, e.g. epoxy material,and/or by a cap ring corresponding to and closing off the recess. Such acap ring may be made of metal (magnetic; or nonmagnetic, e.g. aluminum,stainless steel, silver, gold, platinum and titanium), plastic,composite, polytetrafluoroethylene, fiberglass, ceramic, and/or cermet.The RFIDT can be, in certain aspects, any known commercially-availableread-only or read-write radio frequency identification tag and anysuitable known reader system, manual, fixed, and/or automatic may beused to read the RFIDT.

In certain particular aspects an RFIDT is encased in a ring ofprotective material whose shape and configuration corresponds to theshape of the pin end's recess and the ring is either permanently orremovably positioned in the recess. Such a ring may be used without orin conjunction with an amount of protective material covering the ringor with a cap ring that protectively covers the RFIDT. Two or moreRFIDT's may be used in one recess and/or there may be multiple recessesat different levels. In other aspects a ring is provided which isemplaceable around a member, either a generally cylindrical circularmember or a member with some other shape.

With an RFIDT located in a pipe's pin end as described herein, uponmakeup of a joint including two such pieces of pipe, an RFIDT in onepipe's pin end is completely surrounded by pipe material—including thatof a corresponding pipe's box end—and the RFIDT is sealingly protectedfrom access by materials flowing through the pipe and from materialsexterior to the pipe. The mass of pipe material surrounding the enclosedRFIDT also protects it from the temperature extremes of materials withinand outside of the pipe.

In other aspects [with or without an RFIDT in a recess] sensiblematerial and/or indicia are located within a recess and, in one aspect,transparent material is placed above the material and/or indicia forvisual inspection or monitoring; and, in one aspect, such sensiblematerial and/or indicia are in or on a cap ring.

A pipe with a pin end recess as described herein can be a piece oftypical pipe in which the recess is formed, e.g. by machining or withlaser apparatus or by drilling; or the pipe can be manufactured with therecess formed integrally thereof. In certain particular aspects, incross-section a recess has a shape that is square, rectangular,triangular, semi-triangular, circular, semi-circular, trapezoid,dovetail, or rhomboid.

It has also been discovered that such a protective location of an RFIDTcan be accomplished in other generally tubular apparatuses in additionto drill pipe, or in a member, device, or apparatus that has across-section area that permits circumferential installation of antennaapparatus including, but not limited to, in casing, drill collars,(magnetic or nonmagnetic) pipe, thread protectors, centralizers,stabilizers, control line protectors, mills, plugs (including but notlimited to cementing plugs), and risers; and in or on other apparatuses,including, but not limited to, whipstocks, tubular handlers, tubularmanipulator, tubular rotator, top drive, tong, spinner, downhole motor,elevator, spider, powered mouse hole, and pipe handler, sucker rods, anddrill bits (all which can be made of or have portions of magnetizablemetal or nonmagnetizable metal).

In certain aspects the present invention discloses a rig with a rigfloor having thereon or embedded therein or positioned therebelow a tagreader system which reads RFIDT's in pipe or other apparatus placed onthe rig floor above the tag reader system. All of such rig-floor-basedreader systems, manually-operated reader systems, and other fixed readersystems useful in methods and systems according to the present inventionmay be, in certain aspects, in communication with one or more controlsystems, e.g. computers, computerized systems, consoles, and/or controlsystem located on the rig, on site, and/or remotely from the rig, eithervia lines and/or cables or wirelessly. Such system can provideidentification, inventory, and quality control functions and, in oneaspect, are useful to insure that desired tubulars, and only desiredtubulars, go downhole and/or that desired apparatus, and only desiredapparatus, is used on the rig. In certain aspects one or more RFIDT's ispositioned in a recess in a box end of a tubular. In certain aspectsantennas of RFIDT's according to the present invention have a diameterbetween one quarter inch to ten inches and in particular aspects thisrange is between two inches and four inches. Such systems can also beused with certain RFIDT's to record on a read-write apparatus thereinhistorical information related to current use of a tubular member; e.g.,but not limited to, that this particular tubular member is being used atthis time in this particular string, and/or with particular torqueapplied thereto by this particular apparatus.

In other aspects, a pipe with a pin end recess described therein hasemplaced therein or thereon a member or ring with or without an RFIDTand with sensible indicia, e.g., one or a series of signature cuts,etchings, holes, notches, indentations, alpha and/or numeric characters,raised portion(s) and/or voids, filled in or not with filler material(e.g. but not limited to, epoxy material and/or nonmagnetic or magneticmetal, composite, fiberglass, plastic, ceramic and/or cermet), whichindicia are visually identifiable and/or can be sensed by sensingsystems (including, but not limited to, systems using ultrasonicsensing, eddy current sensing, optical/laser sensing, and/or microwavesensing). Similarly it is within the scope of the present invention toprovide a cap ring (or a ring to be emplaced in a recess) as describedherein (either for closing off a recess or for attachment to a pin endwhich has no such recess) with such indicia which can be sensed visuallyor with sensing equipment.

It is within the scope of this invention to provide a member asdescribed herein with a circular recess as described above withenergizable identification apparatus other than or in addition to one ormore RFIDT's; including, for example one or more surface acoustic wavetags (“SAW tags”) with its antenna apparatus in the circular apparatus.

What follows are some of, but not all, the objects of this invention. Inaddition to the specific objects stated below for at least certainpreferred embodiments of the invention, other objects and purposes willbe readily apparent to one of skill in this art who has the benefit ofthis invention's teachings and disclosures. It is, therefore, an objectof at least certain preferred embodiments of the present invention toprovide:

New, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious devices, systems and methodsfor apparatus identification, tracking, inventory and control and, incertain aspects, such systems and methods employing identificationdevice(s), e.g. one or more RFIDT and/or one or more SAW tags;

-   -   Such systems and methods in which a member is provided with one        or more recesses into which one or more identification devices        are placed;    -   Such systems and methods in which the member is a cylindrical or        tubular member and the recess (or recesses) is a circumferential        recess around either or both ends thereof, made or integrally        formed therein;    -   Such systems and methods in which filler material and/or a cap        ring is installed permanently or releasably over a recess to        close it off and protect identification device(s);    -   Such systems and methods in which aspects of the present        invention are combined in a nonobvious and new manner with        existing apparatuses to provide dual redundancy identification;    -   Such systems and methods in which an sensing-containing member        (flexible or rigid) is placed within or on an item; and    -   Such systems and methods which include a system on, in, or under        a rig floor, and/or on equipment, for sensing identification        device apparatus according to the present invention.

Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to any particularindividual feature disclosed here, but include combinations of themdistinguished from the prior art in their structures and functions.Features of the invention have been broadly described so that thedetailed descriptions that follow may be better understood, and in orderthat the contributions of this invention to the arts may be betterappreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the inventiondescribed below and which may be included in the subject matter of theclaims to this invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefitof this invention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate thatthe conceptions of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis fordesigning other structures, methods and systems for carrying out andpracticing the present invention. The claims of this invention are to beread to include any legally equivalent devices or methods which do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The present invention recognizes and addresses the previously-mentionedproblems and long-felt needs and provides a solution to those problemsand a satisfactory meeting of those needs in its various possibleembodiments and equivalents thereof. To one skilled in this art who hasthe benefits of this invention's realizations, teachings, disclosures,and suggestions, other purposes and advantages will be appreciated fromthe following description of preferred embodiments, given for thepurpose of disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. The detail in these descriptions is not intended to thwartthis patent's object to claim this invention no matter how others maylater disguise it by variations in form or additions of furtherimprovements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of embodiments of the invention brieflysummarized above may be had by references to the embodiments which areshown in the drawings which form a part of this specification. Thesedrawings illustrate certain preferred embodiments and are not to be usedto improperly limit the scope of the invention which may have otherequally effective or legally equivalent embodiments.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a pin end of a drill pipeaccording to the present invention. FIG. 1C is a partial cross-sectionalview of the drill pipe of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1D shows shapes for recessesaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of a prior artcommercially-available radio frequency identification tag apparatus.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a torus according to the presentinvention. FIG. 2B is a side view partially in cross-section, of thetorus of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2C is a top perspective view of a torus according to the presentinvention. FIG. 2D is a side view in cross-section of a recess accordingto the present invention with the torus of FIG. 2C therein.

FIG. 2E is a top view in cross-section of a torus according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2F is a top view of a torus according to the present invention.FIG. 2G is a side view of the torus of FIG. 2F.

FIG. 2H is a side view of a torus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2I is a top view of a cap ring according to the present invention.FIG. 2J is a side view of the cap ring of FIG. 2I.

FIG. 2K is a top view of a cap ring according to the present invention.FIG. 2L is a side view of the cap ring of FIG. 2K.

FIG. 2M is a top view of a cap ring according to the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a side view, partially in cross-section, of a tubularaccording to the present invention. FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a boxend of the tubular of FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is an enlarged view of a pin endof the tubular of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a side schematic view of a rig according to the presentinvention. FIG. 4B is a side view partially in cross-section of atubular according to the present invention. FIG. 4C is a schematic viewof the system of FIG. 4A.

FIGS. 5A, 5C and 5D are schematic views of systems according to thepresent invention. FIG. 5B is a side view of a tubular according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a tubular according to the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a side view of a tubular according to the present invention.FIG. 7B is a cross-section view of the tubular of FIG. 7B.

FIG. 8A is a side view of a stabilizer according to the presentinvention. FIG. 8B is a cross-section view of the stabilizer of FIG. 8A.FIG. 8C is a side view of a centralizer according to the presentinvention. FIG. 8D is a cross-section view of the centralizer of FIG.8C. FIG. 8E is a side view of a centralizer according to the presentinvention. FIG. 8F is a cross-section view of the centralizer of FIG.8E. FIG. 8G is a side view of a centralizer according to the presentinvention. FIG. 8H is a cross-section view of the centralizer of FIG.8E.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10A are side cross-section views of thread protectorsaccording to the present invention. FIG. 10B is a perspective view of athread protector according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view of a thread protector according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 12A is a schematic side view of a drilling rig system according tothe present invention. FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of part of thesystem of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13A is a side view of a system according to the present invention.FIG. 13B is a side view of part of the system of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14A is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention with a powered mouse hole. FIG. 14B is a side view of thepowered mouse hole of FIG. 14A. FIG. 14C is a cross-section view of partof the powered mouse hole of FIGS. 14A and B. FIG. 14D is a side view ofa powered mouse hole tool according to the present invention.

FIG. 15A is a side view of a top drive according to the presentinvention. FIG. 15B is an enlarged view of part of the top drive of FIG.15A.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are side cross-section views of plugs according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of a portable RFIDT bearing ringaccording to the present invention. FIG. 17B is a side view of the ringof FIG. 17A. FIG. 17C is a perspective view of the ring of FIG. 17A withthe ring opened. FIG. 17D is a top view of a ring according to thepresent invention. FIG. 17E is a top view of a ring according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 18A is a side view of a whipstock according to the presentinvention. FIG. 18B is a bottom view of the whipstock of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a mill according to the present invention.

FIGS. 20A and 20B are perspective views of pipe manipulators accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are schematic views of systems according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a blowout preventer according to thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS PREFERRED AT THE TIME OF FILING FOR THISPATENT

FIGS. 1A-1C show a pin end 10 of a drill pipe according to the presentinvention which has a sealing shoulder 12 and a threaded end portion 14.A typical flow channel 18 extends through the drill pipe from one end tothe other. A recess 20 in the top 16 (as viewed in FIG. 1C) of the pinend 10 extends around the entire circumference of the top 16. Thisrecess 20 is shown with a generally rectangular shape, but it is withinthe scope of this invention to provide a recess with any desiredcross-sectional shape, including, but not limited to, the shapes shownin FIG. 1D. In one aspect an entire drill pipe piece with a pin end 10is like the tubular shown in FIG. 3A or the drill pipe of FIG. 12B. Therecess 20 (as is true for any recess of any embodiment disclosed herein)may be at any depth (as viewed in FIG. 1C) from the end of the pin endand, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C may, according to the present invention, belocated so that no thread is adjacent the recess.

It is within the scope of the present invention to form the recess 20 ina standard piece of drill pipe with a typical machine tool, drill, witha laser apparatus such as a laser cutting apparatus, or with etchingapparatus. Alternatively, it is within the scope of the presentinvention to manufacture a piece of drill pipe (or other tubular) withthe recess formed integrally in the pin end (and/or in a box end). Therecess as shown in FIG. 1C is about 5 mm wide and 5 mm deep; but it iswithin the scope of certain embodiments of the present invention to havesuch a recess that is between 1 mm and 10 mm wide and between 2 mm and20 mm deep.

A cap ring 22 is installed over the recess 20 which seals the spacewithin the recess 20. This cap ring 22 (as may be any cap ring of anyembodiment herein) may be made of any suitable material, including, butnot limited to: metal, aluminum, zinc, brass, bronze, steel, stainlesssteel, iron, silver, gold, platinum, titanium, aluminum alloys, zincalloys, or carbon steel; composite; plastic, fiberglass, fiber materialsuch as ARAMID™ fiber material; KEVLAR™ or other similar material;ceramic; or cermet. The cap ring 22 may be sealingly installed usingglue, adhesive, and/or welding (e.g., but not limited to Tig, Mig, andresistance welding and laser welding processes).

Disposed within the recess 20 beneath the cap ring 22, as shown in FIG.1C, is an RFIDT device 28 which includes a tag 24 and an antenna 26. Theantenna 26 encircles the recess 20 around the pin end's circumferenceand has two ends, each connected to the tag 24. The RFIDT tag device maybe any suitable known device, including, but not limited to the RFIDdevices commercially available, as in FIG. 2, e.g. from MBBS Company ofSwitzerland, e.g. its E-Units™ (TAGs) devices e.g., as in FIG. 2. TheRFIDT device 28 may be a read-only or a read-write device. It is withinthe scope of this invention to provide one, two, three or more suchdevices in a recess 20 (or in any recess of any embodiment herein).Optionally, the RFIDT device (or devices) is eliminated and a recess 20with a particular varied bottom and/or varied side wall(s) and/or a capring with a nonuniform, varied, and/or structured surface or part(s) isused which variation(s) can be sensed and which provide a uniquesignature for a particular piece of drill pipe (as may be the case forany other embodiment of the present invention). These variations, etc.may be provided by different heights in a recess or different dimensionsof projections or protrusions from a recess lower surface or recess sidewall surface, by etchings thereon or on a cap ring, by cuts thereon ortherein, and/or by a series of notches and/or voids in a recess and/orin a cap ring and/or by sensible indicia. Optionally, instead of theRFIDT device 28 (and for any embodiment herein any RFIDT) an SAW tag maybe used and corresponding suitable apparatuses and systems forenergizing the SAW tag(s) and reading them.

In certain aspects of the present invention with a recess like therecess 20 as described above, a ring or torus is releasably orpermanently installed within the recess with or without a cap ringthereover (like the cap ring 22). Such a ring or torus may have one,two, or more (or no) RFIDT's therein. FIGS. 2A and 2B show a torus 30installable within a recess, like the recess 20 or any recess as in FIG.1C, which includes a body 31 with a central opening 31 a. An RFIDT 32 isencased on the body 31. The RFIDT 32 has an integrated circuit 33 and anantenna 34 which encircles the body 31. In certain aspects the body 31(as may be any body of any torus or ring according to the presentinvention) is made of metal, plastic, polytetrafluorethylene,fiberglass, composite, ceramic, or of a nonmagnetizable metal. Theopening 31 a (as may be any opening of any torus or ring herein) may beany desired diameter.

FIGS. 2C and 2D show a torus 35 which has a central opening 35 a, a body36 and an RFIDT 37 therein with an antenna 38 that encircles the body 36and an integrated circuit 39. In one aspect a recess 20 a in a body forreceiving a torus 35 has an upper lip 20 b (or inwardly inclined edge oredges as shown in FIG. 2D) and the body 36 is made of resilient materialwhich is sufficiently flexible that the torus 35 may be pushed into therecess 20 a and releasably held therein without adhesives and without acap ring, although it is within the scope of the present invention touse adhesive and/or a cap ring with a torus 35.

FIG. 2E shows a torus 40 according to the present invention with a body40 a which is insertable into a recess (like the recess 20, the recess20 a, or any recess disclosed herein) which has one or more elements 41therein which serve as strengthening members and/or as members whichprovide a unique sensible signature for the torus 40 and, therefore, forany pipe or other item employing a torus 40. The torus 40 has a centralopening 40 b and may, according to the present invention, also includeone, two or more RFIDT's (not shown).

FIGS. 2F and 2G show a torus 44 according to the present inventioninsertable into any recess disclosed herein which has a body 45, acentral opening 44 a, and a series of voids 46 a, 46 b, and 46 c. Withsuch a torus 44 made of metal, the voids 46 a-46 c can be sensed by anysensing apparatus or method disclosed herein and provide a uniquesensible signature for the torus 44 and for any item employing such atorus 44. Any torus described herein may have such a series of voids andany such series of voids may, according to the present invention,contain any desired number (one or more) of voids of any desireddimensions. In one particular aspect, a series of voids provides abarcode which is readable by suitable known barcode reading devices. Atorus 44 can be used with or without a cap ring. As desired, as is trueof any torus according to the present invention, one, two, or moreRFIDT's may be used within or on the torus body. Voids may be made bymachining, by drilling, by etching, by laser etching, by hardfacing orusing a photovoltaic process.

FIG. 2H shows a torus 47 according to the present invention useful inany recess of any embodiment herein which has a series of sensibleridges 48 a-48 f which can be made by adding material to a torus body 49[such a torus may have visually readable indicia, e.g. alpha (letter)and/or numeric characters]. Any torus, ring, or cap ring herein may haveone or more such ridges and the ridges can have different cross-sections(e.g. as in FIG. 2H) or similar cross-sections and they can be anysuitable material, including, but not limited to metal, plastic, epoxy,carbides, and hardfacing. Also, according to the present invention, acap ring with one or more RFIDT's and/or any other sensible materialand/or indicia disclosed herein may be placed around and secured to atubular's pin end or box end without using a recess.

FIG. 2M shows a cap ring 22 a, like the cap ring 22, but with sensibleindicia 22 b-22 f made therein or thereon for sensing by an opticalsensing system, an ultrasonic sensing system, an eddy current sensingsystem, a barcode sensing system, or a microwave sensing system. A capring 22 a may be releasably or permanently installed in or over a recesslike any recess disclosed herein. The indicia 22 b-22 f may be like anyof the indicia or sensible structures disclosed herein.

FIGS. 2I and 2J show a specific cap ring 50 according to the presentinvention for use with drill pipe having a pin end. The ring 50 has abody with an outer diameter 50 a of 98 mm, a thickness 50 b of 5 mm, anda wall thickness 50 c of 5 mm. FIGS. 2K and 2L show a specific cap ring51 according to the present invention for use with a drill pipe pin endhaving an end portion diameter of about four inches. The ring 51 has anouter diameter 51 a of 98 mm, a thickness 51 b of 8 to 10 mm, and a wallthickness 51 c of 3 mm.

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a tubularhaving a box end and a pin end (each threaded or not) (e.g. casing,riser, pipe, drill pipe, drill collar, tubing), each end with an RFIDTin a recess therein (as any recess described herein) with or without acap ring (as any described herein). FIGS. 3A-3C show a generallycylindrical hollow tubular member 480 according to the present inventionwith a flow channel 480 a therethrough from top to bottom and which hasa threaded pin end 481 and a threaded box end 482. The threaded box end482 has a circumferential recess 483 with an RFIDT 484 therein. TheRFIDT has an IC 485 and an antenna 486 which encircles the box end.Optionally, filler material 487 in the recess 483 encases and protectsthe IC 485 and the antenna 486; and an optional circular cap ring 488closes off the recess. The RFIDT and its parts and the cap ring may beas any disclosed or referred to herein. Optionally, the tubular member480 may have a shoulder recess 483 a with an RFIDT 484 a with an IC 485a and an antenna 486 a. Filler material 487 a (optional) encases theRFIDT 484 a and, optionally, a cap ring 488 a closes off the recess.

The pin end 481 has a circumferential recess 491 in which is disposed anRFIDT 492 with an IC 493 and an antenna 494 around the pin end. As withthe box end, filler material and/or a cap ring may be used with therecess 491. Antenna size is related to how easy it is to energize an ICand, therefore, the larger the antenna, the easier [less power neededand/or able to energize at a greater distance] to energize: and, due tothe relatively large circumference of some tubulars, energizing endantennas is facilitated.

FIG. 4A shows a system 70 according to the present invention with a rig60 according to the present invention which has in a rig floor 61 areading system 65 (shown schematically) for reading one or more RFIDT'sin a drill pipe 66 which is to be used in drilling a wellbore. Thereading system 65 incorporates one or more known reading apparatuses forreading RFIDT's, including, but not limited to suitable readers asdisclosed in the prior art and readers as commercially available fromMBBS Co. of Switzerland. The present invention provides improvements ofthe apparatuses and systems disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/906,957 filed Jul. 16, 2001 and published on Feb. 7, 2002 asPublication No. 2002/0014966. In an improved system 70 according to thepresent invention a drill pipe 66 (FIG. 4B) is like the drill pipes 16in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/906,957, but the drill pipe 66has a recess 67 with a torus 68 therein having at least one RFIDT 69(shown schematically in FIG. 4B) and a cap ring 68 a over the torus 68.The drill pipe 66 may be connected with a tool joint 76 to other similarpieces of drill pipe in a drill string 77 (see FIG. 4A) as in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/906,957 (incorporated fully herein) andthe systems and apparatuses associated with the system 70 (FIG. 4A andFIG. 4C) operate in a manner similar to that of the systems 10 and thesystem of FIG. 1B of said patent application.

Drill string 77 includes a plurality of drill pipes 66 coupled by aplurality of tool joints 76 and extends through a rotary table 78, andinto a wellbore through a bell nipple 73 mounted on top of a blowoutpreventer stack 72. An identification tag (e.g. an RFIDT) 71 is providedon one or more drilling components, such as illustrated in FIG. 4A,associated with the system 70, or the drill pipe 66. An electromagneticsignal generator system 74 that includes an antenna and a signalgenerator is positioned proximate to an identification tag, for examplejust below rotary table 78 as illustrated in FIG. 4A. Electromagneticsignal generator system 74 establishes a communications link with anidentification tag 71 to energize the antenna, interrogate it, and toconvey information relating to the equipment or drill pipe.

The drilling system 70 includes the rig 60 with supports 83, a swivel91, which supports the drill string 77, a kelly joint 92, a kelly drivebushing 93, and a spider 79 with an RFIDT sensor and/or reader 79 a. Atool joint 76 is illustrated in FIG. 4A as connecting two drillingcomponents such as drill pipes 66. The identification tag 71 (or theRFIDT 69 read by the system 65) is operated to communicate a response toan incoming electromagnetic signal generated by electromagnetic signalgenerator system 74 (or by the system 65) that includes informationrelated to the drilling component with the identification tag. Theinformation may be used, for example, to inform an operator of system 70of a drilling component's identity, age, weaknesses, previous usage oradaptability. According to the teachings of the present invention, thisinformation may be communicated while drill system 70 is in operation.Some or all of the information provided in an identification tag mayassist an operator in making a determination of when drilling componentsneed to be replaced, or which drilling components may be used undercertain conditions. The electromagnetic signal communicated by anidentification tag or RFIDT may provide general inventory managementdata (such as informing an operator of the drilling componentsavailability on the drilling site, or the drilling component's size,weight, etc.), or any other relevant drilling information associatedwith the system.

Additional drill string components 84, which are illustrated in FIG. 4Ain a racked position, may be coupled to drill pipe 66 and inserted intothe well bore, forming a portion of the drill string. One or more ofdrill string components may also include identification tags or RFIDT's.

FIG. 4C shows typical information that may be included within anidentification tag's or RFIDT's, antenna as the antenna cooperates withelectromagnetic signal generator 74 and/or the system 65 to transmit anelectromagnetic energizing signal 85 to an identification tag 71 (or69). The electromagnetic signal generators use an antenna to interrogatethe RFIDT's for desired information associated with a corresponding pipeor drilling component.

The electromagnetic signal 85 is communicated to an RFIDT that respondsto the transmitted electromagnetic signal by returning data orinformation 86 in an electromagnetic signal form that is received by oneof the antennas, and subsequently communicated to a reader 87 which maysubsequently process or simply store electromagnetic signal 86. Thereader 87 may be handheld, i.e. mobile, or fixed according to particularneeds.

The RFIDT's 69 and 71 may be passive (e.g. requiring minimal incidentpower, for example power density in the approximate range of 15-25mW/cm²) in order to establish a communications link between an antennaand the RFIDT. “Passive” refers to an identification tag not requiring abattery or any other power source in order to function and to derivingrequisite power to transmit an electromagnetic signal from an incomingelectromagnetic signal it receives via an antenna. Alternatively, anRFIDT (as may any in any embodiment herein) may include a battery orother suitable power source that would enable an RFIDT to communicate anelectromagnetic signal response 86.

Antennas are coupled to reader 87 by any suitable wiring configuration,or alternatively, the two elements may communicate using any otherappropriate wireless apparatus and protocol. The reader 87 is coupled toa control system which in one aspect is a computer (or computers) 88which may include a monitor display and/or printing capabilities for theuser. Computer 88 may be optionally coupled to a handheld reader 89 tobe used on the rig or remote therefrom. Computer 88 may also beconnected to a manual keyboard 89 a or similar input device permittinguser entry into computer 88 of items such as drill pipe identity, drillstring serial numbers, physical information (such as size, drillingcomponent lengths, weight, age, etc.) well bore inclination, depthintervals, number of drill pipes in the drill string, and suspendedloads or weights, for example.

The computer 88 may be coupled to a series of interfaces 90 that mayinclude one or more sensors capable of indicating any number of elementsassociated with drill rig derrick 83, such as: a block travelcharacteristic 90 a, a rotation counter characteristic 90 b, a drillstring weight 90 c, a heave compensator 90 d, and a blowout preventer(BOP) distance sensor 90 e. A micro-controller may include one or moreof these sensors or any other additional information as described inU.S. application Ser. No. 09/906,957. The control system may be or mayinclude a microprocessor based system and/or one or more programmablelogic controllers.

A drill pipe 66 with an RFIDT 69 and an RFIDT 71 provides a redundancyfeature for identification of the drill pipe 66 so that, in the eventone of the RFIDT's fails, the other one which has not failed can stillbe used to identify the particular drill pipe. This is useful, e.g. whenthe RFIDT 71, which has relatively more exposure to down holeconditions, fails. Then the RFIDT 69 can still be used to identify theparticular piece of drill pipe. It is within the scope of the presentinvention for any item according to the present invention to have two(or more RFIDT's like the RFIDT 69 and the RFIDT 71.

FIGS. 5A-5D present improvements according to the present invention ofprior art systems and apparatuses in U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,811 B2 issuedNov. 12, 2002 (incorporated fully herein for all purposes). FIG. 5Bshows schematically and partially a drill pipe 91 with an RFIDT 92 (likethe identifier assemblies 12, U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,063 B2 or like anyRFIDT disclosed herein and with an RFIDT 99, (as any RFIDT disclosedherein in a drill pipe's pin end). It is within the scope of the presentinvention to provide any oilfield equipment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,604,063 B2 with two (or more) RFIDT's (e.g., one in an end and one ina side, e.g. like those shown in FIG. 5B).

FIGS. 5A, 5C and 5D show an oilfield equipment identifying apparatus 100according to the present invention for use with pipe or equipment as inFIG. 5B with two (or more) RFIDT's on respective pieces 114 of oilfieldequipment. The RFIDT's may be any disclosed or referred to herein andthose not mounted in a recess according to the present invention may beas disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,811 B2 indicated by the referencenumerals 112 a and 112 b on pieces of equipment 114 a and 114 b withRFIDT's in recesses according to the present invention shownschematically and indicated by reference numerals 109 a, 109 b. Each ofthe identifier assemblies 112 and RFIDT's like 109 a, 109 b are capableof transmitting a unique identification code for each piece of pipe oroilfield equipment.

The oilfield equipment identifying apparatus 100 with a reader 118 iscapable of reading each of the identifier assemblies and RFIDT's. Thereader 118 includes a hand-held wand 120, which communicates with aportable computer 122 via a signal path 124. In one embodiment, eachidentifier assembly 112 includes a passive circuit as described indetail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,128 (fully incorporated herein for allpurposes) and the reader 118 can be constructed and operated in a manneras set forth in said patent or may be any other reader or reader systemdisclosed or referred to herein.

In use, the wand 120 of the reader 118 is positioned near a particularone of the identifier assemblies 112 or RFIDT's. A unique identificationcode is transmitted from the identifier assembly or RFIDT to the wand120 via a signal path 126 which can be an airwave communication system.Upon receipt of the unique identification code, the wand 120 transmitsthe unique identification code to the portable computer 122 via thesignal path 124. The portable computer 122 receives the uniqueidentification code transmitted by the wand 120 and then decodes theunique identification code, identifying a particular one of theidentifier assemblies 112 or RFIDT's and then transmitting (optionallyin real time or in batch mode) the code to a central computer (orcomputers) 132 via a signal path 134. The signal path 134 can be a cableor airwave transmission system.

FIG. 5C shows an embodiment of an oilfield equipment identifyingapparatus 10 a according to the present invention which includes aplurality of the identifier assemblies 112 and/or RFIDT's 109 which aremounted on respective pieces 114 of pipe or oilfield equipment asdescribed above. The oilfield equipment identifying apparatus includes areader 152, which communicates with the central computer 132. Thecentral computer 132 contains an oilfield equipment database (which incertain aspects, can function as the oilfield equipment database setforth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,128). In one aspect the oilfield equipmentdatabase in the central computer 132 may function as described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,142,128. In one aspect the oilfield equipment identifyingapparatus 10 a is utilized in reading the identifier assemblies 112(and/or RFIDT's 109) on various pieces 114 of pipe or oilfield equipmentlocated on a rig floor 151 of an oil drilling rig.

The reader 152 includes a hand-held wand 156 (but a fixed readerapparatus may be used). The hand-held wand 156 is constructed in asimilar manner as the hand-held wand 120 described above. The wand 156may be manually operable and individually mobile. The hand-held wand 156is attached to a storage box 158 via a signal path 160, which may be acable having a desired length. Storage box 158 is positioned on the rigfloor 151 and serves as a receptacle to receive the hand-held wand 156and the signal path 160 when the hand-held wand 156 is not in use.

An electronic conversion package 162 communicates with a connector onthe storage box 158 via signal path 164, which may be an airway or acable communication system so that the electronic conversion package 162receives the signals indicative of the identification code stored in theidentifier assemblies 112 and/or RFIDT's, which are read by thehand-held wand 156. In response to receiving such signal, the electronicconversion package 162 converts the signal into a format which can becommunicated an appreciable distance therefrom. The converted signal isthen output by the electronic conversion package 162 to a buss 166 via asignal path 168. The buss 166, which is connected to a drilling riglocal area network and/or a programmable logic controller (not shown) ina well-known manner, receives the converted signal output by theelectronic conversion package 162.

The central computer 132 includes an interface unit 170. The interface170 communicates with the central computer 132 via a signal path 172 orother serial device, or a parallel port. The interface unit 170 may alsocommunicates with the buss 166 via a signal path 173. The interface unit170 receives the signal, which is indicative of the uniqueidentification codes and/or information read by the hand-held wand 156,from the buss 166, and a signal from a drilling monitoring device 174via a signal path 176. The drilling monitoring device 174 communicateswith at least a portion of a drilling device 178 (FIG. 5D) via a signalpath 179. The drilling device 178 can be supported by the rig floor 151,or by the drilling rig. The drilling device 178 can be any drillingdevice which is utilized to turn pieces 114 of oilfield equipment, suchas drill pipe, casing (in casing drilling operations) or a drill bit todrill a well bore. For example, but not by way of limitation, thedrilling device 178 can be a rotary table supported by the rig floor151, or a top mounted drive (“top drive”) supported by the drilling rig,or a downhole mud motor suspended by the drill string and supported bythe drilling rig. Optionally, the drilling device 178 has at least oneRFIDT 178 a therein or thereon and an RFIDT reader 178 b therein orthereon. The RFIDT reader 178 a is interconnected with the other systemsas is the reader 152, e.g. via the signal path 173 as indicated by thedotted line 173 a.

The drilling monitoring device 174 monitors the drilling device 178 soas to determine when the piece 114 or pieces 114 of oilfield equipmentin the drill string are in a rotating condition or a non-rotatingcondition. The drilling monitoring device 174 outputs a signal to theinterface unit 170 via the signal path 176, the signal being indicativeof whether the piece(s) 114 of oilfield equipment are in the rotating orthe non-rotating condition. The central computer 132 may be loaded witha pipe and identification program in its oilfield equipment databasewhich receives and automatically utilizes the signal received by theinterface unit 170 from the signal path 176 to monitor, on anindividualized basis, the rotating and non-rotating hours of each piece114 of oilfield equipment in the drill string.

For example, when the drilling device 178 is a downhole mud motor (whichselectively rotates the drill string's drill bit while the drillstring's pipe remains stationary), the central computer 132 logs thenon-rotating usage of each piece 114 of the drill string's pipe. In thecase where the drilling device 178 is the downhole mud motor, thecentral computer 132 has stored therein a reference indicating that thedrilling device 178 is the downhole mud motor so that the centralcomputer 132 accurately logs the non-rotating usage of each piece 114 ofoilfield equipment included in the drill string that suspends thedrilling device 178.

FIG. 5D shows a system 250 according to the present invention forrotating pieces of drill pipe 114 which have at least one identifierassembly 112 and/or one RFIDT in a pin end (or box end, or both) recessaccording to the present invention to connect a pin connection 252 ofthe piece 114 to a box connection 254 of an adjacently disposed piece114 in a well known manner. Each piece 114 may have an RFIDT in its pinend and/or box end. The system 250 includes a reader system 250 a (shownschematically) for reading the RFIDT in the pin end recess prior tomakeup of a joint. The apparatus 250 can be, for example, but not by wayof limitation, an Iron Roughneck, an ST-80 Iron Roughneck, or an AR 5000Automated Iron Roughneck from Varco International and/or apparatus asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,603,464; 4,348,920; and 4,765,401. Thereader system 250 a may be located at any appropriate location on or inthe apparatus 250.

The apparatus 250 is supported on wheels 256 which engage tracks (notshown) positioned on the rig floor 151 for moving the apparatus 250towards and away from the well bore. Formed on an upper end of theapparatus 250 is a pipe spinner assembly 258 (or tong or rotatingdevice) for selectively engaging and turning the piece 114 to connectthe pin connection 252 to the box connection 254. Optionally theassembly 258 has an RFIDT reader 258 a. An optional funnel-shapedmudguard 260 can be disposed below the pipe spinner assembly 258. Themudguard 260 defines a mudguard bore 262, which is sized and adapted soas to receive the piece 114 of oilfield equipment therethrough. Theapparatus 250 also may include a tong or a torque assembly or torquewrench 263 disposed below the pipe spinner assembly 258. An opening 264is formed through the mudguard 260 and communicates with a mudguard bore262. Optionally an oilfield equipment identifying apparatus 110 includesa fixed mount reader 266 for automating the reading of the RFIDT's andof the identifier assemblies 112, rather than the hand-held wand 156. Inone embodiment a flange 268 is located substantially adjacent to theopening 264 so as to position the fixed mount reader 266 through theopening 264 whereby the fixed mount reader 266 is located adjacent tothe piece 114 of oilfield equipment when the piece 114 of oilfieldequipment is moved and is being spun by the pipe spinner assembly 258.The reader(s) of the apparatus 250 are interconnected with an incommunication with suitable control apparatus, e.g. as any disclosedherein. In certain aspects, the fixed mount reader 266 can be located onthe apparatus 250 below the pipe spinner assembly 258 and above thetorque assembly or torque wrench 263, or within or on the spinnerassembly 258; or within or on the torque wrench 263.

The prior art discloses a variety of tubular members including, but notlimited to casing, pipe, risers, and tubing, around which are emplaced avariety of encompassing items, e.g., but not limited to centralizers,stabilizers, and buoyant members. According to the present inventionthese items are provided with one or more RFIDT's with antenna(s) withinand encircling the item and with a body or relatively massive partthereof protecting the RFIDT. FIG. 6 shows schematically a tubularmember 190 with an encompassing item 192 having therein an RFIDT 194(like any disclosed or referred to herein as may be the case for allRFIDT's mentioned herein) with an IC (integrated circuit) or microchip196 to which is attached an antenna 198 which encircles the tubularmember 190 (which is generally cylindrical and hollow with a flowchannel therethrough from one end to the other or which is solid) andwith which the IC 196 can be energized for reading and/or for writingthereto. In one aspect the RFIDT 194 is located midway between exteriorand interior surfaces of the encompassing item 192; while in otheraspects it is nearer to one or these surfaces than the other. Theencompassing item may be made of any material mentioned or referred toherein. The RFIDT 194 is shown midway between a top and a bottom (asviewed in FIG. 6) of the encompassing item 192; but it is within thescope of this invention to locate the RFIDT at any desired level of theencompassing item 192. Although the encompassing item 192 is shown withgenerally uniform dimensions, it is within the scope of the presentinvention for the encompassing item to have one or more portions thickerthan others; and, in one particular aspect, the RFIDT (or the IC 196 orthe antenna 198) is located in the thicker portion(s). In certainparticular aspects the encompassing item is a centralizer, stabilizer,or protector.

FIG. 7A shows a buoyant drill pipe 200 which is similar to such pipes asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,244 (incorporated fully herein for allpurposes), but which, as shown in FIG. 7A, has improvements according tothe present invention. The drill pipe 200 has a pin end 202 and a boxend 204 at ends of a hollow tubular body 206 having a flow channel (notshown) therethrough. A buoyant element 210 encompasses the tubular body206. Within the buoyant element 210 is at least one RFIDT 208 which maybe like and be located as the RFIDT 198, FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7B, inone aspect the buoyant member 210 has two halves which are emplacedaround the tubular body 206 and then secured together. In such anembodiment either one or both ends of an antenna 201 are releasablyconnectible to an IC 203 of an RFIDT 208 or two parts of the antenna 201itself are releasably connectible. As shown in FIG. 7B, antenna parts201 a and 201 b are releasably connected together, e.g. with connectorapparatus 201 c, and an end of the antenna part 201 b is releasablyconnected to the IC 203. Alternatively an optional location provides anRFIDT that is entirely within one half of the buoyant member 210, e.g.like the optional RFIDT 208 a shown in FIG. 7A. The pin end 202 may haveany RFIDT therein and/or cap ring according to the present invention asdisclosed herein. The two halves of the buoyant member may be heldtogether by adhesive, any known suitable locking mechanism, or any knownsuitable latch mechanism (as may be any two part ring or item hereinaccording to the present invention).

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a stabilizeras is used in oil and gas wellbore operations with one or more RFIDT's.FIGS. 8A and 8B show a stabilizer 220 according to the present inventionwhich is like the stabilizers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,626(incorporated fully herein for all purposes) but which has improvementsaccording to the present invention. An RFIDT 222 (like any disclosed orreferred to herein) is embedded within a stabilizer body 224 with an IC223 in a relatively thicker portion 221 of the body 224 and an antenna225 that is within and encircles part of the body 224. Parts 225 a and225 b of the antenna 225 are connected together with a connector 226.The stabilizer 220 may, optionally, have a recess at either end with anRFIDT therein as described herein according to the present invention.Optionally, the stabilizer 220 may have one or more RFIDT's located asare the RFIDT's in FIGS. 6 and 7A.

Various stabilizers have a tubular body that is interposed between othertubular members, a body which is not clamped on around an existingtubular members. According to the present invention such stabilizers mayhave one or more RFIDT's as disclosed herein; and, in certain aspects,have an RFIDT located as are the RFIDT's in FIGS. 6, 7A or 8A and/or anRFIDT in an end recess (e.g. pin end and/or box end) as described hereinaccording to the present invention. FIGS. 8C and 8D show a stabilizer230 according to the present invention which has a tubular body 231 anda plurality of rollers 232 rotatably mounted to the body 231 (as in thestabilizer of U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,285, incorporated fully herein, and ofwhich the stabilizer 230 is an improvement according to the presentinvention). An RFIDT 233 with an IC 234 and an antenna 235 is disposedwithin one or the rollers 232. The stabilizer 230 has a pin end 236 anda box end 237 which permit it to be threadedly connected to tubulars ateither of its ends. A recess may, according to the present invention, beprovided in the pin end 236 and/or the box end 237 and an RFIDT and/orcap ring used therewith as described herein according to the presentinvention. The antenna 235 is within and encircles part of the roller232.

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a centralizerwith one or more RFIDT's as disclosed herein. A centralizer 240, FIG.8E, is like the centralizers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,981(incorporated fully herein), but with improvements according to thepresent invention. FIGS. 8E and 8F show the centralizer 240 on a tubularTR with a hollow body 241 with a plurality of spaced-apart ribs 242projecting outwardly from the body 241. A plurality of screws 244releasably secure the body 241 around the tubular TR. An RFIDT 245 withan IC 246 and an antenna 247 is located within the body 241. Optionallya plug 241 a (or filler material) seals off a recess 241 b in which theIC 246 is located.

FIGS. 8G and 8H show a centralizer 270 according to the presentinvention which is like centralizers (or stabilizers) disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,984,633 (incorporated fully herein for all purposes), butwhich has improvements according to the present invention. Thecentralizer 270 has a hollow tubular body 271 with a plurality ofspaced-apart ribs 272 projecting outwardly therefrom. An RFIDT 273 withan IC 274 and an antenna 275 (dotted circular line) is disposed withinthe body 271 with the IC 274 within one of the ribs 272 and the antenna275 within and encircling part of the body 271.

Often thread protectors are used at the threaded ends of tubular membersto prevent damage to the threads. It is within the scope of the presentinvention to provide a thread protector, either a threaded threadprotector or a non-threaded thread protector, with one or more RFIDT'sas disclosed herein. FIGS. 9A, 10A, and 11 show examples of such threadprotectors.

FIGS. 9A and 9B and 10A and 10B show thread protectors like thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,508 (incorporated fully herein), butwith improvements according to the present invention.

A thread protector 280, FIG. 9A, according to the present inventionprotecting threads of a pin end of a tubular TB has an RFIDT 283 withina body 282. The RFIDT 283 has an IC 284 and an antenna 285. A threadprotector 281, FIG. 9B, according to the present invention protectingthreads of a box end of a tubular TL has a body 286 and an RFIDT 287with an IC 288 and an antenna 298 within the body 286. Both the bodies282 and 286 are generally cylindrical and both antennas 285 and 298encircle a part of their respective bodies. Optionally the threadprotector 281 has an RFIDT 287 a within a recess 286 a of the body 286.The RFIDT 287 a has an IC 288 a and an antenna 289 a. Optionally, anythread protector herein may be provided with a recess according to thepresent invention as described herein with an RFIDT and/or torus and/orcap ring according to the present invention (as may any item accordingto the present invention as in FIGS. 6-8G).

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a thread protector 300 according to the presentinvention which is like thread protectors disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,367,508 B1 (incorporated fully herein), but with improvementsaccording to the present invention. The thread protector 300 forprotecting a box end of a tubular TU has a body 302 with upper opposedspaced-apart sidewalls 303 a, 303 b. An RFIDT 304 with an IC 305 and anantenna 306 is disposed between portions of the two sidewalls 303 a, 303b. Optionally, an amount of filler material 307 (or a cap ring asdescribed above) is placed over the RFIDT 304. Optionally, or as analternative, an RFIDT 304 a is provided within the body 302 with an IC305 a and an antenna 306 a. Optionally, or as an alternative, an RFIDT304 b is provided within the body 302 with an IC 305 b and an antenna306 b.

A variety or prior art thread protectors have a strap or tighteningapparatus which permits them to be selectively secured over threads of atubular. FIG. 11 shows a thread protector 310 according to the presentinvention which is like the thread protectors disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,148,835 (incorporated fully herein), but with improvements accordingto the present invention. The thread protector 310 has a body 312 withtwo ends 312 a and 312 b. A strap apparatus 313 with a selectivelylockable closure mechanism 314 permits the thread protector 310 to beinstalled on threads of a tubular member. An RFIDT 315 with an IC 316and an antenna 317 is disposed within the body 312. The antenna 317 maybe connected or secured to, or part of, the strap apparatus 313 andactivation of the lockable closure mechanism 314 may complete a circuitthrough the antenna. In one aspect the antenna has ends connected tometallic parts 318, 319 and the antenna is operational when these partsare in contact. The bodies of any thread protector according to thepresent invention may be made of any material referred to herein,including, but not limited to, any metal or plastic referred to hereinor in the patents incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 12A shows a system 400 according to the present invention which hasa rig 410 that includes a vertical derrick or mast 412 having a crownblock 414 at its upper end and a horizontal rig floor 416 at its lowerend. Drill line 418 is fixed to deadline anchor 420, which is commonlyprovided with hook load sensor 421, and extends upwardly to crown block414 having a plurality of sheaves (not shown). From block 414, drillline 418 extends downwardly to traveling block 422 that similarlyincludes a plurality of sheaves (not shown). Drill line 418 extends backand forth between the sheaves of crown block 414 and the sheaves oftraveling block 422, then extends downwardly from crown block 414 todrawworks 424 having rotating drum 426 upon which drill line 418 iswrapped in layers. The rotation of drum 426 causes drill line 418 to betaken in or out, which raises or lowers traveling block 422 as required.Drawworks 424 may be provided with a sensor 427 which monitors therotation of drum 426. Alternatively, sensor 427 may be located in crownblock 414 to monitor the rotation of one or more of the sheaves therein.Hook 428 and any elevator 430 is attached to traveling block 422. Hook428 is used to attach kelly 432 to traveling block 422 during drillingoperations, and elevators 430 are used to attach drill string 434 totraveling block 422 during tripping operations. Shown schematically theelevator 430 has an RFIDT reader 431 (which may be any reader disclosedor referred to herein and which is interconnected with and incommunication with suitable control apparatus, e.g. as any disclosedherein, as is the case for reader 439 and a reader 444. Drill string 434is made up of a plurality of individual drill pipe pieces, a grouping ofwhich are typically stored within mast 412 as joints 435 (singles,doubles, or triples) in a pipe rack. Drill string 434 extends down intowellbore 436 and terminates at its lower end with bottom hole assembly(BHA) 437 that typically includes a drill bit, several heavy drillingcollars, and instrumentation devices commonly referred to asmeasurement-while-drilling (MWD) or logging-while-drilling (LWD) tools.A mouse hole 438, which may have a spring at the bottom thereof, extendsthrough and below rig floor 416 and serves the purpose of storing nextpipe 440 to be attached to the drill string 434. With drill pipeaccording to the present invention having an RFIDT 448 in a pin end 442,an RFIDT reader apparatus 439 at the bottom of the mouse hole 438 canenergize an antenna of the RFIDT 448 and identify the drill pipe 440.Optionally, if the drill pipe 440 has an RFIDT in a box end 443, anRFIDT reader apparatus can energize an antenna in the RFIDT 446 andidentify the drill pipe 440. Optionally, the drill bit 437 has at leastone RFIDT 437 a (shown schematically).

During a drilling operation, power rotating means (not shown) rotates arotary table (not shown) having rotary bushing 442 releasably attachedthereto located on rig floor 416. Kelly 432, which passes through rotarybushing 442 and is free to move vertically therein, is rotated by therotary table and rotates drill string 434 and BHA 437 attached thereto.During the drilling operation, after kelly 432 has reached its lowestpoint commonly referred to as the “kelly down” position, the new drillpipe 440 in the mouse hole 438 is added to the drill string 434 byreeling in drill line 418 onto rotating drum 426 until traveling block422 raises kelly 432 and the top portion of drill string 434 above rigfloor 416. Slips 445, which may be manual or hydraulic, are placedaround the top portion of drill string 434 and into the rotary tablesuch that a slight lowering of traveling block 422 causes slips 444 tobe firmly wedged between drill string 434 and the rotary table. At thistime, drill string 434 is “in-slips” since its weight is supportedthereby as opposed to when the weight is supported by traveling block422, or “out-of-slips”. Once drill string 434 is in-slips, kelly 432 isdisconnected from string 434 and moved over to and secured to new pipe440 in mouse hole 438. New pipe 440 is then hoisted out of mouse hole438 by raising travelling block 422, and attached to drill string 434.Traveling block 422 is then slightly raised which allows slips 445 to beremoved from the rotary table. Traveling block 422 is then lowered anddrilling resumed. “Tripping-out” is the process where some or all ofdrill string 434 is removed from wellbore 436. In a trip-out, kelly 432is disconnected from drill string 434, set aside, and detached from hook428. Elevators 430 are then lowered and used to grasp the uppermost pipeof drill string 434 extending above rig floor 416. Drawworks 424 reel indrill line 418 which hoists drill string 434 until the section of drillstring 434 (usually a “triple”) to be removed is suspended above rigfloor 416. String 434 is then placed in-slips, and the section removedand stored in the pipe rack. “Tripping-in” is the process where some orall of drill string 434 is replaced in wellbore 436 and is basically theopposite of tripping out. In some drilling rigs, rotating the drillstring is accomplished by a device commonly referred to as a “top drive”(not shown). This device is fixed to hook 428 and replaces kelly 432,rotary bushing 442, and the rotary table. Pipe added to drill string 434is connected to the bottom of the top drive. As with rotary tabledrives, additional pipe may either come from mouse hole 438 in singles,or from the pipe racks as singles, doubles, or triples. Optionally,drilling is accomplished with a downhole motor system 434 a which has atleast one RFIDT 434 b (shown schematically in FIG. 12A).

As shown in FIG. 12B, the reader apparatus 439 is in communication witha control apparatus 449 (e.g. any computerized or PLC system referred toor disclosed herein) which selectively controls the reader apparatus439, receives signals from it and, in certain aspects, processes thosesignals and transmits them to other computing and/or control apparatus.Similarly when the optional reader apparatus 444 is used, it also is incommunication with the control apparatus 449 and is controlled thereby.With a reader at the pin end and a reader at the box end, the length ofthe piece of drill pipe be determined and/or its passage beyond acertain point. In one aspect the reader apparatus 439 is deleted and thereader apparatus 444 reads the RFIDT (or RFIDT's) in the drill pipe 440as the drill pipe 440 passes by the reader apparatus 444 as the drillpipe 440 is either lowered into the mouse hole 438 or raised out of it.The reader apparatus 444 may be located on or underneath the rig floor416. It is within the scope of the present invention to use a readerapparatus 439 and/or a reader apparatus 444 in association with anysystem's mouse hole or rat hole (e.g., but not limited to, systems asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,107,705; 4,610,315; and in the prior artcited therein), and with so-called “mouse hole sleeves” and mouse holescabbards” as disclosed in, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,351,767; 4,834,604;and in the prior art references cited in these two patents. With respectto the drilling operation depicted in FIG. 12A (and, any drillingoperation referred to herein according to the present invention) thedrilling may be “casing drilling” and the drill pipe can be casing.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show a system 450 according to the present inventionwhich has a mouse hole 451 associated with a rig 452 (shown partially).The mouse hole 451 includes a mouse hole scabbard 454 (shownschematically, e.g. like the one in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,604, but withimprovements according to the present invention). The mouse holescabbard 454 includes an RFIDT reader apparatus 456 (like any suchapparatus described or referred to herein) with connection apparatus 458via which a line or cable 459 connects the reader apparatus 456 tocontrol apparatus 455 (shown schematically, like any described orreferred to herein). It is within the scope of the present invention toprovide, optionally, reader apparatuses (E.G. other than adjacent thepipe or adjacent a mouse hole, or tubular preparation hole) 453 and/or459 on the rig 452. Optionally, one or more antenna energizers areprovided on a rig and reader apparatuses are located elsewhere.According to the present invention a scabbard can be made of nonmagneticmetal, plastic, polytetrafluoroethylene, fiberglass or composite tofacilitate energizing of an RFIDT's antenna of an RFIDT located withinthe scabbard. Optionally a scabbard may be tapered to prevent a pipe endfrom contacting or damaging the reader apparatus 456 and/or, as shown inFIG. 13B, stops 454 a may be provided to achieve this.

Various prior art systems employ apparatuses known as “powered mouseholes” or “rotating mouse hole tools”. It is within the scope of thepresent invention to improve such systems with an RFIDT reader apparatusfor identifying a tubular within the powered mouse hole. FIGS. 14A-14Cshow a system 460 according to the present invention which includes arig system 461 and a powered mouse hole 462. The powered mouse hole 462is like the powered mouse hole disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,767(incorporated fully herein for all purposes) with the addition of anRFIDT reader apparatus. The powered mouse hole 462 has a receptacle 463for receiving an end of a tubular member. An RFIDT reader apparatus 464is located at the bottom of the receptacle 463 (which may be like anyRFIDT reader apparatus disclosed or referred to herein). A line or cable465 connects the RFIDT reader apparatus 464 to control apparatus (notshown; like any disclosed or referred to herein). Optionally as shown inFIG. 14B, an RFIDT reader apparatus 466 in communication with controlapparatus 467 is located adjacent the top of the receptacle 463.

FIG. 14D shows a rotating mouse hole tool 470 which is like the PHANTOMMOUSE™ tool commercially-available from Varco International (and whichis co-owned with the present invention), but the tool 470 has an upperring 471 on a circular receptacle 473 (like the receptacle 463, FIG.14C). The upper ring 471 has an energizing antenna 472 for energizing anRFIDT in an end of a tubular placed into the receptacle 473. The antenna472 encircles the top of the receptacle 473. The antenna 472 isconnected to reader apparatus 474 (like any disclosed or referred toherein) which may be mounted on the tool 470 or adjacent thereto.

The prior art discloses a wide variety of top drive units (see, e.g.,U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,421,179; 4,529,045; 6,257,349; 6,024,181; 5,921,329;5,794,723; 5,755,296; 5,501,286; 5,388,651; 5,368,112; and 5,107,940 andthe references cited therein). The present invention discloses improvedtop drives which have one, two, or more RFIDT readers and/or antennaenergizers. It is within the scope of the present invention to locate anRFIDT reader and/or antenna energizer at any convenient place on a topdrive from which an RFIDT in a tubular can be energized and/or readand/or written to. Such locations are, in certain aspects, at a pointpast which a tubular or a part thereof with an RFIDT moves. FIGS. 15Aand 15B show a top drive system 500 according to the present inventionwhich is like the top drives of U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,333 (incorporatedfully herein), but with an RFIDT reader 501 located within a top driveassembly portion 502. The reader 501 is located for reading an RFIDT 503in a tubular 504 which is being held within the top drive assemblyportion 502. Alternatively, or in addition to the reader 501, an RFIDTreader 507 is located in a gripper section 505 which can energize andread the RFIDT 503 as the gripper section moves into the tubular 504. Inparticular aspects, the tubular is a piece of drill pipe or a piece ofcasing. Appropriate cables or lines 508, 509, respectively connect thereaders 501, 507 to control apparatus (not shown, as any described orreferred to herein).

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a cementingplug (or pipeline pig) with one or more RFIDT's with an antenna thatencircles a generally circular part or portion of the plug or pig andwith an IC embedded in a body part of the plug or pig and/or with an ICand/or antenna in a recess (as any recess described or referred toherein). FIG. 16A shows a cementing plug 510 according to the presentinvention with a generally cylindrical body 512 and exterior wipers 513(there may be any desired number of wipers). An RFIDT 514 is encased inthe body 512. An antenna 515 encircles part of the body 512. The body512 (as may be any plug according to the present invention) may be madeof any known material used for plugs, as may be the wipers 513. An IC516 of the RFIDT 514 is like any IC disclosed or referred to herein.Optionally a cap ring (not shown) may be used over the recess 515 as maybe filler material within the recess.

FIG. 16B shows a cementing plug 520 according to the present inventionwhich has a generally cylindrical body 522 with a bore 523 therethroughfrom top to bottom. A plurality of wipers 524 are on the exterior of thebody 522. An RFIDT 525 has an IC 526 encased in the body 522 and anantenna 527 that encircles part of the body 522. Both antennas 515 and527 are circular as viewed from above and extend around and within theentire circumference of their respective bodies. It is within the scopeof the present invention to have the RFIDT 514 and/or the RFIDT 525within recesses in their respective bodies (as any recess disclosedherein or referred to herein) with or without a cap ring or filler.

FIGS. 17A-17D show a portable ring 530 which has a flexible body 532made, e.g. from rubber, plastic, fiberglass, and/or composite which hastwo ends 531 a, 531 b. The end 531 a has a recess 536 sized andconfigured for receiving and holding with a friction fit acorrespondingly sized and configured pin 533 projecting out from the end531 b. The two ends 531 a, 531 b may be held together with any suitablelocking mechanism, latch apparatus, and/or adhesive. As shown, each end531 a, 531 b has a piece of releasably cooperating hook-and-loopfastener material 534 a, 534 b, respectively thereon (e.g. VELCRO™material) and a corresponding piece of such material 535 is releasablyconnected to the pieces 534 a, 534 b (FIG. 17C) to hold the two ends 531a, 531 b together. The body 532 encases an RFIDT 537 which has an IC 538and an antenna 539. Ends of the antenna 539 meet at the projection533-recess 536 interface and/or the projection 533 is made of antennamaterial and the recess 536 is lined with such material which isconnected to an antenna end. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 17D the ring530 may include one or more (one shown) protective layers 532 a, e.g.made of a durable material, e.g., but not limited to metal, KEVLAR™material or ARAMID™ material. A hole 532 b formed when the two ends 531a, 531 b are connected together can be any desired size to accommodateany item or tubular to be encompassed by the ring 530. The ring 530 mayhave one, two or more RFIDT's therein one or both of which areread-only; or one or both of which are read-write. Such a ring may bereleasably emplaceable around a member, e.g., but not limited to, asolid or hollow generally cylindrical member. Any ring or torus hereinaccording to the present invention may have an RFIDT with an antennathat has any desired number of loops (e.g., but not limited to, five,ten, fifteen, twenty, thirty or fifty loops), as may be the case withany antenna of any RFIDT in any embodiment disclosed herein.

FIG. 17E shows a portable ring 530 a, like the ring 530 but without twoseparable ends. The ring 530 a has a body 530 b made of either rigid orflexible material and with a center opening 530 f so it is releasablyemplaceable around another member. An RFIDT 530 c within the body 530 bhas an IC 530 e and an antenna 530 d.

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a whipstockwith one or more RFIDT's with an RFIDT circular antenna that encircles agenerally circular part of a generally cylindrical part of a whipstock.FIGS. 18A and 18B show a whipstock 540 like a whipstock disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 6,105,675 (incorporated fully herein for all purposes),but with an RFIDT 541 in a lower part 542 of the whipstock 540. TheRFIDT 541 has an antenna 543 and an IC 544 (each like any as disclosedor referred to herein).

An RFIDT 551 (as any disclosed herein) may, according to the presentinvention, be provided in a generally cylindrical part of a mill ormilling tool used in downhole milling operations. Also with respect tocertain mills that have a tubular portion, one or both ends of such amill may have one or more RFIDT's therein according to the presentinvention. FIG. 19 shows a mill 550 which is like the mill disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,620,051 (incorporated fully herein), but with an RFIDT551 in a threaded pin end 552 of a body 553 of the mill 550. The RFIDT551 may be emplaced and/or mounted in the pin end 552 as is any similarRFIDT disclosed herein. Optionally an RFIDT may be emplaced within amilling section 554.

The prior art discloses a variety of pipe handlers and pipemanipulators, some with gripping mechanisms for gripping pipe. It iswithin the scope of the present invention to provide a pipe handler withan RFIDT reader for reading an RFIDT in a tubular member which islocated in one of the embodiments of the present invention as describedherein. Often an end of a tubular is near, adjacent, or passing by apart of a pipe handler. An RFIDT in a tubular according to the presentinvention can be sensed by an RFIDT reader apparatus and a signal can betransmitted therefrom to control apparatus regarding the tubular'sidentity or other information stored in the RFIDT. FIGS. 20A and 20Bshow pipe manipulators 560 and 570 [which are like pipe manipulatorsdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,525 (incorporated fully herein), butwith improvements according to the present invention] which have movablearms 561, 562, (pipe manipulator 560) and movable arm 571 (pipemanipulator 570). Each manipulator has a pipe gripper 563, 573. Eachmanipulator has an RFIDT reader apparatus—apparatus 565 on manipulator560 and apparatus 575 on manipulator 570. Optionally, such a readerapparatus is located on a gripper mechanism.

FIG. 21 shows a tubular inspection system 600 [which may be any knowntubular inspection system, including those which move with respect to atubular and those with respect to which a tubular moves, including, butnot limited to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,622,561; 6,578,422;5,534,775; 5,043,663; 5,030,911; 4,792,756; 4,710,712; 4,636,727;4,629,985; 4,718,277; 5,914,596; 5,585,565; 5,600,069; 5,303,592;5,291,272; and Int'l Patent Application WO 98/16842 published Apr. 23,1998 and in the references cited therein] which is used to inspect atubular 610 (e.g., but not limited to pipe, casing, tubing, collar)which has at least one RFIDT 602 with an IC 604 and an antenna 606. Thetubular 610 may be any tubular disclosed herein and it may have anyRFIDT, RFIDT's, recess, recesses, cap ring, and/or sensible materialand/or indicia disclosed herein.

FIG. 22 shows schematically a method 620 for making a tubular memberaccording to the present invention. A tubular body is made—“MAKE TUBULARBODY”—using any suitable known process for making a tubular body,including, but not limited to, known methods for making pipe, drillpipe, casing, risers, and tubing. An end recess is formed—“FORM ENDRECESS”—in one or both ends of the tubular member. An identificationdevice is installed in the recess—“INSTALL ID DEVICE” (which may be anyidentification apparatus, device, torus ring or cap ring according tothe present invention). Optionally, a protector is installed in therecess—“INSTALL PROTECTOR” (which may be any protector according to thepresent invention).

FIG. 23 shows schematically a system 650 according to the presentinvention which is like the systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,631but which is for identifying an item 652 according to the presentinvention which has at least one end recess (as any end recess disclosedherein) and/or within a ring or torus according to the present inventionwith at least one SAW tag identification apparatus 654 in the recess(es)and/or ring(s) or torus(es).

The system 650 (as systems in U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,631) has an energizingantenna apparatus 656 connected to a reader 658 which provides radiofrequency pulses or bursts which are beamed through the antennaapparatus 656 to the SAW tag identification apparatus 654. The reader658 senses responsive signals from the apparatus 654. In one aspect theresponsive signals are phase modulated in accord with code encoded inthe apparatus 654. The reader 658 sends received signals to a computerinterface unit 660 which processes the signals and sends them to acomputer system 662.

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a blowoutpreventer according to the present invention with one or more waveenergizable identification apparatuses, e.g. in a flange, side outlet,and/or door or bonnet or a blowout preventer. FIG. 24 shows a blowoutpreventer 670 according to the present invention which has a main body672, a flow bore 674 therethrough from top to bottom, a bottom flange676, a top flange 678, a side outlet 682, and four ram-enclosing bonnets680. An RFIDT 690 (like any disclosed herein) has an antenna 691encircling and within the top flange 678 with an IC 692 connectedthereto. An RFIDT 692 (like any disclosed herein) has an antenna 694encircling and within the bottom flange 676 with an IC 695. An RFIDT 696(like any disclosed herein) has an antenna 697 encircling and within abonnet 680 with an IC 698. An RFIDT 684 (like any disclosed herein) hasan antenna 685 encircling and within a flange 689 of the side outlet682, with an IC 686.

Any known wave energizable apparatus may be substituted for any RFIDTherein.

The present invention, therefore, in at least certain aspects, providesa member having a body, the body having at least a portion thereof witha generally cylindrical portion, the generally cylindrical portionhaving a circumference, radio frequency identification apparatus withintegrated circuit apparatus and antenna apparatus within the generallycylindrical portion of the body, and the antenna apparatus encirclingthe circumference of the cylindrical portion of the body. Such a membermay include one or some (in any possible combination) of the following:the body having a first end spaced-apart from a second end, and theradio frequency identification apparatus positioned within the first endof the body; the first end of the body having a recess in the first end,and the radio frequency identification apparatus is within the recess; aprotector in the recess covering the radio frequency identificationapparatus; the body comprising a pipe; wherein the first end is a pinend of the pipe; wherein an end of the pipe has an exterior shoulder andthe radio frequency identification apparatus is within the shoulder;wherein the second end is a box end of the pipe; wherein the first endis threaded externally and the second end is threaded internally;wherein the member is a piece of drill pipe with an externally threadedpin end spaced-apart from an internally threaded box end, and the bodyis generally cylindrical and hollow with a flow channel therethroughfrom the pin end to the box end, the pin end having a pin end portionwith a pin end recess therearound, and the radio frequencyidentification apparatus within the pin end recess and the antennaapparatus encircling the pin end portion; wherein a protector in the pinend recess covers the radio frequency identification apparatus therein;wherein the protector is a cap ring within the pin end recess whichcovers the radio frequency identification apparatus; wherein theprotector is an amount of protective material in the recess which coversthe radio frequency identification apparatus; the member having a boxend having a box end portion having a box end recess therein, a box endradio frequency identification apparatus within the box end recess, thebox end radio frequency identification apparatus having antennaapparatus and integrated circuit apparatus, the antenna encircling thebox end portion; wherein a protector in the box end covers the radiofrequency identification apparatus therein; wherein the recess has across-section shape from the group consisting of square, rectangular,semi-triangular, rhomboidal, triangular, trapezoidal, circular, andsemi-circular; wherein the generally cylindrical portion is part of anitem from the group consisting of pipe, drill pipe, casing, drill bit,tubing, stabilizer, centralizer, cementing plug, buoyant tubular, threadprotector, downhole motor, whipstock, blowout preventer, mill, andtorus; a piece of pipe with a pin end, the pin end having a recesstherein, and sensible indicia in the recess; wherein the sensibleindicia is from the group consisting of raised portions, indentedportions, visually sensible indicia, spaced-apart indicia, numeralindicia, letter indicia, and colored indicia; the member including thebody having a side wall with an exterior surface and a wall recess inthe side wall, the wall recess extending inwardly from the exteriorsurface, and secondary radio frequency identification apparatus withinthe wall recess; and/or wherein the radio frequency identificationapparatus is a plurality of radio frequency identification tag devices.

The present invention, therefore, in at least certain aspects, providesa tubular member with a body with a first end spaced-apart from a secondend, the first end having a pin end having a pin end recess in the firstend and identification apparatus in the pin end recess, and a protectorin the pin end recess protecting the identification apparatus therein.

The present invention, therefore, in at least certain aspects, providesa method for sensing a radio frequency identification apparatus in amember, the member having a body, the body having at least a portionthereof with a generally cylindrical portion, the generally cylindricalportion having a circumference, wave energizable identificationapparatus with antenna apparatus within the generally cylindricalportion of the body, and the antenna apparatus encircling thecircumference of the cylindrical portion of the body, the methodincluding energizing the wave energizable identification apparatus bydirecting energizing energy to the antenna apparatus, the waveenergizable identification apparatus upon being energized producing asignal, positioning the member adjacent sensing apparatus, and sensingwith the sensing apparatus the signal produced by the wave energizableidentification apparatus. Such a method may include one or some (in anypossible combination) of the following: wherein the sensing apparatus ison an item from the group consisting of rig, elevator, spider, derrick,tubular handler, tubular manipulator, tubular rotator, top drive, mousehole, powered mouse hole, or floor; wherein the sensing apparatus is incommunication with and is controlled by computer apparatus [e.g. ibnlt,computer system(s), programmable logic controller(s) and/ormicroprocessor system(s)], the method further including controlling thesensing apparatus with the computer apparatus; wherein the energizing iseffected by energizing apparatus in communication with and controlled bycomputer apparatus, the method further including controlling theenergizing apparatus with the computer apparatus; wherein the signal isan identification signal identifying the member and the sensingapparatus produces and conveys a corresponding signal to computerapparatus, the computer apparatus including a programmable portionprogrammed to receive and analyze the corresponding signal, and thecomputer apparatus for producing an analysis signal indicative ofaccepting or rejecting the member based on said analysis, the methodfurther including the wave energizable identification apparatus andproducing an identification signal received by the sensing apparatus,the sensing apparatus producing a corresponding signal indicative ofidentification of the member and conveying the corresponding signal tothe computer apparatus, and the computer apparatus analyzing thecorresponding signal and producing the analysis signal; wherein thecomputer apparatus conveys the analysis signal to handling apparatus forhandling the member, the handling apparatus operable to accept or rejectthe member based on the analysis signal; wherein the member is a tubularmember for use in well operations and the handling apparatus is atubular member handling apparatus; wherein the tubular member handlingapparatus is from the group consisting of tubular manipulator, tubularrotator, top drive, tong, spinner, downhole motor, elevator, spider,powered mouse hole, and pipe handler; wherein the handling apparatus hashandling sensing apparatus thereon for sensing a signal from the waveenergizable identification apparatus, and wherein the handling apparatusincludes communication apparatus in communication with computerapparatus, the method further including sending a handling signal fromthe communication apparatus to the computer apparatus corresponding tothe signal produced by the wave energizable identification apparatus;wherein the computer apparatus controls the handling apparatus; whereinthe member is a tubular member and wherein the sensing apparatus isconnected to and in communication with a tubular inspection system, themethod further including conveying a secondary signal from the sensingapparatus to the tubular inspection system, the secondary signalcorresponding to the signal produced by the wave energizableidentification apparatus; and/or wherein the signal produced by the waveenergizable identification apparatus identifies the tubular member.

The present invention, therefore, in at least certain aspects, providesa method for handling drill pipe on a drilling rig, the drill pipecomprising a plurality of pieces of drill pipe, each piece of drill pipecomprising a body with an externally threaded pin end spaced-apart froman internally threaded box end, the body having a flow channeltherethrough from the pin end to the box end, radio frequencyidentification apparatus with integrated circuit apparatus and antennaapparatus within the pin end of the body, and the antenna apparatusencircling the pin end, the method including energizing the radiofrequency identification apparatus by directing energizing energy to theantenna apparatus, the radio frequency identification apparatus uponbeing energized producing a signal, positioning each piece of drill pipeadjacent sensing apparatus, and sensing with the sensing apparatus asignal produced by each piece of drill pipe's radio frequencyidentification apparatus. Such a method may include one or some (in anypossible combination) of the following: wherein the sensing apparatus isin communication and is controlled by computer apparatus and wherein theradio frequency identification apparatus produces an identificationsignal receivable by the sensing apparatus, and wherein the sensingapparatus produces a corresponding signal indicative of theidentification of the particular piece of drill pipe, the correspondingsignal conveyable from the sensing apparatus to the computer apparatus,the method further including controlling the sensing apparatus with thecomputer apparatus; wherein the energizing is effected by energizingapparatus in communication with and controlled by computer apparatus,the method further including controlling the energizing apparatus withthe computer apparatus; wherein the signal is an identification signalidentifying the particular piece of drill pipe and the sensing apparatusconveys a corresponding signal to computer apparatus, the computerapparatus including a programmable portion programmed to receive andanalyze the corresponding signal; and/or the computer apparatus forproducing an analysis signal indicative of accepting or rejecting theparticular piece of drill pipe based on said analysis, the methodfurther including the computer apparatus analyzing the correspondingsignal and producing the analysis signal, and the computer apparatusconveying the analysis signal to handling apparatus for handling themember, the handling apparatus operable to accept or reject the memberbased on the analysis signal.

The present invention, therefore, in at least certain aspects, providesa system for handling a tubular member, the system including handlingapparatus, and a tubular member in contact with the handling apparatus,the tubular member with a body with a first end spaced-apart from asecond end, the first end being a pin end having a pin end recess in thefirst end and identification apparatus in the pin end recess, and aprotector in the pin end recess protecting the identification apparatustherein; and such a system wherein the handling apparatus is from thegroup consisting of tubular manipulator, tubular rotator, top drive,tong, spinner, downhole motor, elevator, spider, powered mouse hole, andpipe handler.

The present invention, therefore, in at least certain aspects, providesa ring with a body with a central hole therethrough, the body having agenerally circular shape, the body sized and configured for receiptwithin a circular recess in an end of a generally cylindrical memberhaving a circumference, wave energizable identification apparatus withinthe body, the wave energizable identification apparatus having antennaapparatus, and the antenna apparatus extending around a portion of thebody; and such a ring with sensible indicia on or in the body.

The present invention, therefore, in at least certain aspects, providesa ring with a body with a central hole therethrough, the body having acentral hole therethrough the body sized and configured for receiptwithin a circular recess in an end of a generally cylindrical memberhaving a circumference, identification apparatus within or on the body,and the identification apparatus being sensible indicia.

The present invention, therefore, in at least certain aspects, providesa method for making a tubular member, the method including making a bodyfor a tubular member, the body having a first end spaced-apart from asecond end, and forming a recess around the end of the body, the recesssized and shaped for receipt therein of wave energizable identificationapparatus. Such a method may include one or some (in any possiblecombination) of the following: installing wave energizableidentification apparatus in the recess; installing a protector in therecess over the wave energizable identification apparatus; and/orwherein the tubular member is a piece of drill pipe with an externallythreaded pin end spaced-apart from an internally threaded box end, therecess is a recess encircling the pin end, and the wave energizableidentification apparatus has antenna apparatus, the method furtherincluding positioning the antenna apparatus around and within the pinend recess.

The present invention, therefore, in at least certain aspects, providesa method for enhancing a tubular member, the tubular member having agenerally cylindrical body with a first end spaced-apart from a secondend, the method including forming a circular recess in an end of thetubular member, the recess sized and shaped for receipt therein of waveenergizable identification apparatus, the wave energizableidentification apparatus including antenna apparatus with antennaapparatus positionable around the circular recess.

In conclusion, therefore, it is seen that the present invention and theembodiments disclosed herein and those covered by the appended claimsare well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends setforth. Certain changes can be made in the subject matter withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of this invention. It isrealized that changes are possible within the scope of this inventionand it is further intended that each element or step recited in any ofthe following claims is to be understood as referring to all equivalentelements or steps. The following claims are intended to cover theinvention as broadly as legally possible in whatever form it may beutilized. The invention claimed herein is new and novel in accordancewith 35 U.S.C. § 102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in §102. The invention claimed herein is not obvious in accordance with 35U.S.C. § 103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in § 103.This specification and the claims that follow are in accordance with allof the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112. The inventors may rely on theDoctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the scope of theirinvention and of the claims that follow as they may pertain to apparatusnot materially departing from, but outside of, the literal scope of theinvention as set forth in the following claims. Any patent or patentapplication mentioned herein is incorporated fully herein for allpurposes.

1. A member comprising a body, the body having two spaced-apart ends andat least a portion comprising a generally cylindrical portion, thegenerally cylindrical portion having a circumference, radio frequencyidentification apparatus with integrated circuit apparatus and antennaapparatus within the generally cylindrical portion of the body, and theantenna apparatus encircling the circumference of the cylindricalportion at an end of the body.
 2. The member of claim 1 wherein the bodyhas a first end spaced-apart from a second end, and the radio frequencyidentification apparatus positioned within the first end of the body. 3.The member of claim 2 wherein the first end of the body has a recess inthe first end, and the radio frequency identification apparatus iswithin the recess.
 4. The member of claim 3 wherein a protector in therecess covers the radio frequency identification apparatus.
 5. Themember of claim 2 wherein the body comprises a pipe.
 6. The member ofclaim 5 wherein the first end is a pin end of the pipe.
 7. The member ofclaim 5 wherein an end of the pipe has an exterior shoulder and theradio frequency identification apparatus is within the shoulder.
 8. Themember of claim 2 wherein the second end is a box end of the pipe. 9.The member of claim 2 wherein the first end is threaded externally andthe second end is threaded internally.
 10. The member of claim 1 whereinthe member is a piece of drill pipe with an externally threaded pin endspaced-apart from an internally threaded box end, and the body isgenerally cylindrical and hollow with a flow channel therethrough fromthe pin end to the box end, the pin end having a pin end portion with apin end recess therearound, and the radio frequency identificationapparatus within the pin end recess and the antenna apparatus encirclingthe pin end portion.
 11. The member of claim 10 wherein a protector inthe pin end recess covers the radio frequency identification apparatustherein.
 12. The member of claim 11 wherein the protector is a cap ringwithin the pin end recess which covers the radio frequencyidentification apparatus.
 13. The member of claim 11 wherein theprotector is an amount of protective material in the recess which coversthe radio frequency identification apparatus.
 14. The member of claim 10further comprising the box end having a box end portion having a box endrecess therein, a box end radio frequency identification apparatuswithin the box end recess, the box end radio frequency identificationapparatus having antenna apparatus and integrated circuit apparatus,said antenna encircling the box end portion.
 15. The member of claim 14wherein a protector in the box end covers the radio frequencyidentification apparatus therein.
 16. The member of claim 4 wherein therecess has a cross-section shape from the group consisting of square,rectangular, semi-triangular, rhomboidal, triangular, trapezoidal,circular, and semi-circular.
 17. The member of claim 1 wherein thegenerally cylindrical portion is part of an item from the groupconsisting of pipe, drill pipe, casing, drill bit, tubing, stabilizer,centralizer, cementing plug, buoyant tubular, thread protector, downholemotor, whipstock, mill, and torus.
 18. The member of claim 1 furthercomprising the member comprising a piece of pipe with a pin end, the pinend having a recess therein, and sensible indicia in the recess.
 19. Themember of claim 18 wherein the sensible indicia is from the groupconsisting of raised portions, indented portions, visually sensibleindicia, spaced-apart indicia, numeral indicia, letter indicia, andcolored indicia.
 20. The member of claim 1 further comprising the bodyhaving a side wall with an exterior surface and a wall recess in theside wall, the wall recess extending inwardly from the exterior surface,and secondary radio frequency identification apparatus within the wallrecess.
 21. The member of claim 1 wherein the radio frequencyidentification apparatus comprises a plurality of radio frequencyidentification tag devices.
 22. A tubular member comprising a body witha first end spaced-apart from a second end, the first end comprising apin end having a pin end recess in the first end and identificationapparatus in the pin end recess, and a protector in the pin end recessprotecting the identification apparatus therein.
 23. A method forsensing a wave energizable identification apparatus in a member, themember comprising a body, the body having at least a portion thereofcomprising a generally cylindrical portion, the generally cylindricalportion having a circumference, wave energizable identificationapparatus with antenna apparatus within the generally cylindricalportion of the body, and the antenna apparatus encircling thecircumference of the cylindrical portion of the body, the methodincluding energizing the wave energizable identification apparatus bydirecting energizing energy to the antenna apparatus, the waveenergizable identification apparatus upon being energized producing asignal, positioning the member adjacent sensing apparatus, and sensingwith the sensing apparatus the signal produced by the wave energizableidentification apparatus.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the sensingapparatus is on an item from the group consisting of rig, elevator,spider, derrick, tubular handler, tubular manipulator, tubular rotator,top drive, mouse hole, powered mouse hole, or floor.
 25. The method ofclaim 23 wherein the sensing apparatus is in communication with and iscontrolled by computer apparatus, the method further comprisingcontrolling the sensing apparatus with the computer apparatus.
 26. Themethod of claim 23 wherein the energizing is effected by energizingapparatus in communication with and controlled by computer apparatus,the method further comprising controlling the energizing apparatus withthe computer apparatus.
 27. The method of claim 23 wherein the signal isan identification signal identifying the member and the sensingapparatus produces and conveys a corresponding signal to computerapparatus, the computer apparatus including a programmable portionprogrammed to receive and analyze the corresponding signal, and thecomputer apparatus for producing an analysis signal indicative ofaccepting or rejecting the member based on said analysis, the methodfurther comprising the wave energizable identification apparatus,producing an identification signal received by the sensing apparatus,the sensing apparatus producing a corresponding signal indicative ofidentification of the member and conveying the corresponding signal tothe computer apparatus, and the computer apparatus analyzing thecorresponding signal and producing the analysis signal.
 28. The methodof claim 23 wherein the computer apparatus conveys the analysis signalto handling apparatus for handling the member, the handling apparatusoperable to accept or reject the member based on the analysis signal.29. The method of claim 27 wherein the member is a tubular member foruse in well operations and the handling apparatus is a tubular memberhandling apparatus.
 30. The method of claim 28 wherein the tubularmember handling apparatus is from the group consisting of tubularmanipulator, tubular rotator, top drive, tong, spinner, downhole motor,elevator, spider, powered mouse hole, and pipe handler.
 31. The methodof claim 28 wherein the handling apparatus has handling sensingapparatus thereon for sensing a signal from the wave energizableidentification apparatus, and wherein the handling apparatus includescommunication apparatus in communication with computer apparatus, themethod further comprising sending a handling signal from thecommunication apparatus to the computer apparatus corresponding to thesignal produced by the wave energizable identification apparatus. 32.The method of claim 29 wherein the computer apparatus controls thehandling apparatus.
 33. The method of claim 20 wherein the member is atubular member and wherein the sensing apparatus is connected to and incommunication with a tubular inspection system, the method furthercomprising conveying a secondary signal from the sensing apparatus tothe tubular inspection system, the secondary signal corresponding to thesignal produced by the wave energizable identification apparatus. 34.The method of claim 31 wherein the signal produced by the waveenergizable identification apparatus identifies the tubular member. 35.A method for handling drill pipe on a drilling rig, the drill pipecomprising a plurality of pieces of drill pipe, each piece of drill pipecomprising a body with an externally threaded pin end spaced-apart froman internally threaded box end, the body having a flow channeltherethrough from the pin end to the box end, radio frequencyidentification apparatus with integrated circuit apparatus and antennaapparatus within the pin end of the body, and the antenna apparatusencircling the pin end, the method including energizing the radiofrequency identification apparatus by directing energizing energy to theantenna apparatus, the radio frequency identification apparatus uponbeing energized producing a signal, positioning each piece of drill pipeadjacent sensing apparatus, and sensing with the sensing apparatus asignal produced by each piece of drill pipe's radio frequencyidentification apparatus.
 36. The method of claim 35 wherein the sensingapparatus is in communication and is controlled by computer apparatusand wherein the radio frequency identification apparatus produces anidentification signal receivable by the sensing apparatus, and whereinthe sensing apparatus produces a corresponding signal indicative of theidentification of the particular piece of drill pipe, said correspondingsignal conveyable from the sensing apparatus to the computer apparatus,the method further comprising controlling the sensing apparatus with thecomputer apparatus, wherein the energizing is effected by energizingapparatus in communication with and controlled by computer apparatus,the method further comprising controlling the energizing apparatus withthe computer apparatus, wherein the signal is an identification signalidentifying the particular piece of drill pipe and the sensing apparatusconveys a corresponding signal to computer apparatus, the computerapparatus including a programmable portion programmed to receive andanalyze the corresponding signal, the computer apparatus for producingan analysis signal indicative of accepting or rejecting the particularpiece of drill pipe based on said analysis, the method furthercomprising the computer apparatus analyzing the corresponding signal andproducing the analysis signal, and the computer apparatus conveying theanalysis signal to handling apparatus for handling the member, thehandling apparatus operable to accept or reject the member based on theanalysis signal.
 37. A system for handling a tubular member, the systemcomprising handling apparatus, and a tubular member in contact with thehandling apparatus, the tubular member comprising a body with a firstend spaced-apart from a second end, the first end comprising a pin endhaving a pin end recess in the first end and identification apparatus inthe pin end recess, and a protector in the pin end recess protecting theidentification apparatus therein.
 38. The system of claim 37 wherein thehandling apparatus is from the group consisting of tubular manipulator,tubular rotator, top drive, tong, spinner, downhole motor, elevator,spider, powered mouse hole, and pipe handler.
 39. A ring comprising abody with a central hole therethrough, the body having a generallycircular shape, the body sized and configured for receipt within acircular recess in an end of a generally cylindrical member having acircumference, wave energizable identification apparatus within thebody, the wave energizable identification apparatus having antennaapparatus, and the antenna apparatus extending around a portion of thebody.
 40. The ring of claim 39 further comprising sensible indicia on orin the body.
 41. A ring comprising a body with a central holetherethrough, the body having a central hole therethrough the body sizedand configured for receipt within a circular recess in an end of agenerally cylindrical member having a circumference, identificationapparatus within or on the body, and the identification apparatuscomprising sensible indicia.
 42. A method for making a tubular member,the method comprising making a body for a tubular member, the bodyhaving a first end spaced-apart from a second end, and forming a recessaround the end of the body, the recess sized and shaped for receipttherein of wave energizable identification apparatus.
 43. The method ofclaim 42 including installing wave energizable identification apparatusin the recess.
 44. The method of claim 43 further comprising installinga protector in the recess over the wave energizable identificationapparatus.
 45. The method of claim 44 wherein the tubular member is apiece of drill pipe with an externally threaded pin end spaced-apartfrom an internally threaded box end, the recess is a recess encirclingthe pin end, and the wave energizable identification apparatus hasantenna apparatus, the method further comprising positioning the antennaapparatus around and within the pin end recess.
 46. A method forenhancing a tubular member, the tubular member having a generallycylindrical body with a first end spaced-apart from a second end, themethod comprising forming a circular recess in an end of the tubularmember, the recess sized and shaped for receipt therein of waveenergizable identification apparatus, the wave energizableidentification apparatus including antenna apparatus with antennaapparatus positionable around the circular recess.